Liam Lawson's candid reaction to missing out on a 2024 F1 seat has been revealed in the new series of Netflix's Drive to Survive.
Lawson competed in five races for Red Bull junior team AlphaTauri (renamed RB from 2024) last season, after Daniel Ricciardo broke his hand in a crash during practice in Zandvoort, and due to unforeseen circumstances. He made his F1 debut.
The New Zealander excelled during his brief cameo, comfortably beating teammate Hiroki Tsunoda at the Singapore Grand Prix to finish ninth, AlphaTauri's best result of the season at that point.
Liam Lawson's true feelings about refusing 2024 F1 seat revealed by Netflix
This result was announced after Lawson learned that he would not be racing in F1 full-time in 2024, with the decision to keep Ricciardo and Tsunoda informed to Lawson before qualifying at Marina Bay and the following weekend's Japan Confirmed before GP. At Suzuka.
Lawson will continue to serve as the official reserve driver for both Red Bull-branded teams this year, aiming to earn a permanent seat in 2025.
In a new series of Netflix's acclaimed F1 documentary series Drive to Survive, Lawson is informed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner that AlphaTauri will keep Ricciardo and Tsunoda in place until 2024. The moment became clear.
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Horner told Lawson in a private meeting: I'm impressed with what you've done so far, and it's impressed everyone on the team.
“So, they're going to announce Daniel and Yuki, and it'll be announced in the morning. Okay?
“Stay positive, opportunities will come your way.”
Lawson was interviewed immediately after the meeting and said of Tsunoda:
“It was supposed to be me.”
At the end of 2023, long-time Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko will be joining Lawson in several races this year to get a better understanding of his potential before the team makes an offer to drive in 2025 at OE24 in Austria. He hinted that he might consider hiring someone.
Marko commented that Lawson is likely to take the seat in 2025. “That's right. And before that, he needs to run at least a few more races to see where his potential really lies.”
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